♦(N) About the Sabbath
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Leviticus 23:32 – The Regulation for Observing the Day of Atonement
• Core Argument: Leviticus 23:32 is a special regulation specifically for the Day of Atonement and is not a universal rule for determining the beginning of all days. This is a crucial observation.
• Scriptural Analysis: Leviticus 23:32 states: "It shall be to you a statute forever throughout your generations. You shall observe the Sabbath from the evening of the ninth day of the month until the following evening."
The phrase "from evening to evening" is specifically instructing the fasting and affliction of the soul on the Day of Atonement, rather than prescribing a general method for calculating every Sabbath.
• Logical Inference: If God had intended the weekly Sabbath (the seventh day) to be observed "from evening to evening," why is this emphasized only for the Day of Atonement? This suggests that other days, including the
regular Sabbath, may not necessarily follow this reckoning.
Why Did God Institute This Regulation for the Day of Atonement?
• Preventing Excessive Fasting: This is a keen insight! The Day of Atonement requires affliction of the soul (i.e., fasting, prayer, and repentance). If it were observed from daytime to daytime, the fasting period would
exceed 24 hours, which would be a significant physical and spiritual challenge.
• God’s Mercy and Compassion: God does not impose unbearable burdens on His people. The "evening to evening" observance of the Day of Atonement demonstrates God’s love and consideration within the law.
Nehemiah 13:19 – The Meaning of Closing the City Gates
• Scriptural Context: "When the shadows began to fall on the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath, I commanded that the gates be shut and not opened until after the Sabbath." The phrase "before the Sabbath,
when the shadows began to fall" indicates a time prior to the Sabbath but does not necessarily mark the Sabbath’s beginning.
• Supporting Points:
• Nehemiah’s action was preventative, not because "evening" itself marked the beginning of the Sabbath.
• If the Sabbath truly began at sunset, why didn’t Nehemiah wait until "true evening" to close the gates? This suggests that the Sabbath’s start was not strictly tied to sunset. Instead, the closure aimed to prevent
merchants from entering the city the night before, ensuring they would not violate the Sabbath the next day.
• Nehemiah immediately rebuked those violating the Sabbath (Nehemiah 13:15) and took preventive action (Nehemiah 13:20): "Once or twice, the merchants and sellers of all kinds of goods lodged outside Jerusalem."
• Nehemiah 13:21 says: "Then I warned them and said, ‘Why do you lodge outside the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you.’ From that time on, they did not come on the Sabbath."
• The merchants likely stayed outside the gates on Friday night, with some staying for both Friday and Saturday nights. This indicates that the gates were closed on Friday evening, the Sabbath was observed for a full daylight period on Saturday, and the gates were reopened on Sunday morning when the Sabbath had ended.
Historical Evidence of the Jewish Calendar and Day Calculation Changes
• Historical Background:
• During the Babylonian captivity, the Jews were influenced by Babylonian calendar traditions. The Babylonian method of counting a day from sunset may have influenced Jewish religious practices.
• Some Jewish traditions from the Second Temple period, as found in the Talmud, also reflect the influence of foreign customs.
• The Original Biblical Pattern:
• In (Genesis 1:3-5), a day begins with light, not with the evening.
• The phrase "there was evening and there was morning" serves as a marker of a day’s conclusion, rather than its beginning.
Conclusion – Restoring Biblical Truth and Distinguishing Tradition
• God’s Word vs. Tradition:
• In (Mark 7:13), Jesus warned: "You nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down." This reminds us to always return to the original biblical intent and avoid being bound by later traditions.
• Many Jewish traditions, such as beginning the Sabbath at sunset, are not explicitly stated in the Old Testament but developed later through rabbinic interpretations in the Talmud.
• Creation Light vs. The Role of the Sun:
• In the New Heaven and New Earth (Revelation 21:23), light comes directly from God, not the sun. This reinforces the idea that light and the sun are distinct—the light in (Genesis 1:3-5) was not from the sun but from
God’s glory or light itself.
• The sun was created to govern the day and night (Genesis 1:14), providing a marker for time, but this does not change the fundamental nature of light and day as established in Genesis 1.
Summary
1. The "evening to evening" rule for the Day of Atonement is an exception, not a general principle for calculating time. The biblical pattern (Genesis 1:3-5) suggests that days should begin with daylight, rather than
sunset.
2. Nehemiah’s decision to close the gates was for Sabbath sanctity, not because Sabbath started at sunset. His actions were preventative rather than based on an evening-to-evening reckoning.
3. Jewish calendar changes were influenced by Babylonian captivity and later rabbinic traditions, leading to deviations from the biblical reckoning of time.
4. God’s Word is above human tradition. Christians should return to biblical principles, carefully distinguishing oral traditions from scriptural truth.
5. The Sabbath is a holy day appointed by God. Carefully examining day and night or night and day in Jewish tradition is not legalism, but restoring the truth of the day established by God. It can also distinguish between sacred and secular.
The Holy Word must not be taken out of context. There is evening and morning. This cannot be interpreted literally. First there is evening and then there is morning. Rather, after God created the light and worked, there was evening, and then there was morning.
♦(O) The Beginning of Time: The Sequence of the First Day of Creation
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Before God created light, the deep was in darkness, and the Spirit of God moved over the waters:
"The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters." (Genesis 1:2)
Where there is movement, there is time. Therefore, the moment God created the heavens and the earth, time had already begun.
This means that the beginning of God’s defined time for the universe should be traced back to "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1).
Thus, before God said, "Let there be light" (Genesis 1:3), there was already a period of night (darkness).
1. The First Day Had an Initial Period of Night
Key Observations:
• Before light was created, there was darkness (night).
• God’s Spirit was moving—indicating that time was already in effect.
• Only after this period of darkness did God create light (day).
Implication:
• The first day began with a segment of night, followed by the creation of light (day).
• This explains why the first day’s sequence is: Night → Day → Evening → Night → Morning.
• The "night" at the start of creation is different from the "evening" that later followed.
2. Time in God’s Hands: The Length of the Initial Night
The duration of this initial night is unknown, but it could have been as brief as a second or as long as billions of years—for God, time is not a limitation.
"With the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." (2 Peter 3:8)
God could accomplish in one second what humans think would require billions of years.
This perspective harmonizes the biblical account with the existence of an initial night before the first full cycle of a day was completed.
3. Understanding "Evening and Morning" on the First Day
The phrase "there was evening, and there was morning—the first day" (Genesis 1:5) does not refer to:
• The initial night at creation (before light appeared) - Not "Evening".
• The first "day" when God commanded light to exist - Not "Morning".
Instead, "evening" refers to the decline of the first period of light, and "morning" refers to the next reappearance of light.
4. The Correct Time Sequence of the First Day
Order Phase Description Biblical Reference
• Night (Darkness) Before light was created, time had already begun. (Genesis 1:1-2)
• Day (Light) God said, "Let there be light," and light appeared. (Genesis 1:3)
• Evening Light gradually faded (not due to the sun, since it was shone on the 4th day - And God made the two great lights). (Genesis 1:5, 16)
• Night Complete darkness followed. Logical deduction
• Morning (Dawn) Light reappeared, marking a new day. (Genesis 1:5)
Key Takeaways:
• The true first day sequence is: Night → Day → Evening → Night → Morning.
• Evening is not the original night, and morning is not the first instance of light.
5. Conclusion
• Time began when God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1).
• The first period of time was darkness (night), before light was created (Genesis 1:2-3).
• The correct biblical sequence of the first day is: Night → Day → Evening → Night → Morning.
• The length of this initial night is unknown, but God can accomplish in a second what humans think takes billions of years.
This resolves misunderstandings about the first day’s sequence and further refutes the Jewish tradition of beginning a day at sunset. The Bible clearly establishes "day" (light) as the defining factor of time, not night.
♦(P) The True Church
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Almost every church claims to be the true church of the Lord Yesu, and no one will admit to being false! "Attaining unity in the true faith" is the direction all churches should strive for.
Everything a church preaches must be tested against the Word of the Lord God in the Bible to determine whether it fully aligns with the truth, for only the truth can set people truly free. When interpreting the Bible,
one must also consider whether it aligns with the will of the Heavenly Father. The most important will of the Heavenly Father is, of course, the Ten Commandments. The Lord Yesu also said that whoever teaches others to
obey even the least of the commandments will be rewarded. If a church disregards only the third and fourth commandments, it cannot be called the true church.
1. Faith Should Not Remain in the "Milk-Drinking" Stage
Paul addressed a similar issue in the Corinthian church:
"Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready." (1 Corinthians 3:1-2)
Spiritual growth requires moving beyond foundational truths (such as faith, love, repentance, and salvation) to deeper levels of understanding and maturity, including:
• A deeper knowledge of God’s Word (Hebrews 5:12-14)
• The development of spiritual discernment
• A life that reflects obedience to God’s will
The problem isn’t the foundation itself—if it’s biblical, there’s no need to add to it—but rather the lack of progress beyond it.
2. Why Does the Church Avoid Addressing False Teachings?
This tendency often stems from several factors:
(1) Fear of Conflict, Preferring Superficial "Peace":
Many churches avoid controversial topics to maintain outward harmony, but this often comes at the expense of truth. Paul instructed:
"But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning." (1 Timothy 5:20)
When the truth is ignored, the church loses its spiritual witness. True peace is built on truth, not on avoiding difficult issues.
(2) Misunderstanding God’s Patience and Judgment:
Some believe that false teachings will eventually be judged by God, so there’s no need to address them. While God will indeed judge, Scripture also gives us the responsibility to contend for the truth:
"Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people." (Jude 1:3)
While God is the ultimate judge, we are called to be His witnesses and defenders of the truth.
3. The Challenge of Self-Proclaimed "True Churches"
Throughout history, some groups, dissatisfied with existing churches, have formed new movements claiming to be the "only true church." This has led to two extremes:
• One extreme is overconfidence, believing they alone possess the truth while rejecting all outside correction.
• The other extreme is pursuing "purity" to the point of constant division, with each new group claiming to be the "truest of the true."
The Bible provides a balanced perspective:
• There is only one body of Christ (Ephesians 4:4-6):
"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called."
• But belonging to Christ’s body requires obedience to the Father’s will (Matthew 7:21):
"Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven."
Thus, the "truth" of a church isn’t determined by its name, history, or size. It’s defined by its faithfulness to Scripture and its obedience to God’s will.
4. Signs of Spiritual Maturity: Beyond Knowledge to Action
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." (James 1:22)
A church that remains in the "infant" stage of faith often shows the following signs:
• Lack of spiritual discernment, unable to distinguish between true and false teachings.
• Tolerating sin without addressing moral or doctrinal issues within the community.
• Lack of a sense of mission, losing passion for evangelism and living out the Gospel.
True maturity isn’t measured by how much we know but by how we live out God’s truth.
5. How Should We Respond to Spiritual Stagnation in the Church?
(1) Start with Personal Growth:
Even if the larger community seems stagnant, individual believers can still grow spiritually. Paul encouraged Timothy:
"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)
(2) Speak the Truth in Love:
When you recognize clear biblical errors, speak up with love and humility:
"Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ." (Ephesians 4:15)
Regardless of how others respond, it’s important to fulfill our duty as faithful witnesses to the truth.
(3) Pray for the Church and Seek God’s Guidance:
When hearts are hardened and resistant to change, prayer becomes vital. Paul constantly prayed for the churches’ spiritual growth:
"For this reason I kneel before the Father… that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power… to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ." (Ephesians 3:14-18)
6. The True Church Transcends Geographic Boundaries
Today, with the advancement of technology and communication, the true church is no longer limited by geography. The body of Christ spans across nations, languages, and cultures. What unites the true church is not location, denomination, or tradition but:
• A commitment to fully obeying the will of the Father (Matthew 7:21)
• A community rooted in faith, hope, and love (1 Corinthians 13:13)
• Believers who uphold the truth of Scripture and live it out in their daily lives
Jesus Himself said:
"Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks." (John 4:23)
This verse reminds us that true worship and authentic faith are not confined to a specific place but are defined by a heart that seeks God in spirit and in truth.
✅ Conclusion
• True spiritual growth doesn’t stop at foundational teachings but leads to deeper maturity through living out God’s Word.
• Ignoring false teachings under the guise of "peace" weakens the church; speaking the truth in love strengthens it.
• There is only one body of Christ, made up of believers who fully obey the Father’s will. This body transcends denominations, traditions, and borders.
• The true church today is made up of believers who live with faith, hope, and love, fully committed to God’s truth and purpose.
May we all strive to be not just hearers of the Word but doers, growing in faith and love, and living as faithful members of Christ’s body, wherever we are.
(Revelation 22:14) Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates.
For each individual, it is necessary to rely on the precious blood of the Lord Yesu to cleanse away sins and to be renewed daily by the Holy Spirit. Righteous deeds, which represent the washing of one’s robes, are essential to entering the holy city.
(Revelation 21:2) And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from the Lord God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
For a church, it must examine itself to ensure that it is truly redeemed by the precious blood of the Lord Yesu—not merely stopping at repentance from dead works, believing in the Lord God, and confessing Yesu as
Lord with the mouth, but consisting of believers who have undergone the biblically sound rebirth of water and Spirit. Only then can it be considered the true church. Furthermore, it must obey all the teachings of the
Lord Yesu, submit fully to the will of the Heavenly Father, uphold the Ten Commandments completely, detest all false doctrines, and fulfill every jot and tittle of the Holy Word. Only by being fully adorned and
prepared can it wait for the return of the Lord.
♦(Q) Extraterrestrial Beings and Colonizing Mars
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If extraterrestrial beings truly exist, they must also be God’s created beings, just as the Bible refers to "other created things" - referencing (Romans 8:39), (Mark 16:15) and (Colossians 1:16). However, no matter where
they are, the fundamental nature of matter is that it will eventually perish. Humanity cannot escape God’s ordained destiny by relying on technology or by colonizing other planets. The only true hope lies in spiritual
redemption, receiving eternal life in Christ, and entering the new heavens and new earth, which is an incorruptible kingdom.
"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare."
This clearly describes the ultimate fate of the material world—it will be consumed by fire.
This also serves as a reminder that our ultimate destination is not about fleeing Earth but about whether we belong to God’s kingdom. This
reasoning aligns with the Bible’s emphasis—not relying on the material world
but focusing on God’s eternal promise.
Indeed, colonizing Mars can drive technological advancements, leading to breakthroughs in various fields such as engineering, medicine, energy, and sustainable living. To survive on Mars, humanity would need to
develop advanced space survival technology, sustainable energy solutions, closed-loop ecosystems, and more efficient resource utilization. These innovations could not only aid space exploration but also benefit life
on Earth by improving environmental protection, energy efficiency, and medical advancements.
However, from a biblical and faith-based perspective, no matter how advanced technology becomes, the material world cannot escape God’s ordained destiny (2 Peter 3:10). While Mars colonization may extend human civilization,
it cannot alter the ultimate fate that "all elements will be destroyed by fire."
Technology should be seen as a tool, not the ultimate salvation. Humanity can explore the mysteries of God’s creation through scientific progress, but the most important question remains our spiritual destiny. In
God’s divine plan, true and eternal hope does not lie in prolonging physical life on Mars but in receiving eternal life in Christ and entering the new heavens and new earth. While technological progress is valuable,
only redemption in Christ can deliver humanity from ultimate destruction and bring us into God’s everlasting kingdom.
(Romans 8:39): "Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
This verse emphasizes that no matter how high or low in the universe, or whatever other created beings exist, nothing can separate us from God’s love. This can also be extended to the idea mentioned—even if
extraterrestrial life exists, they too are God’s creation, and no matter where they are in the universe, God’s love still reigns.
Even if humanity migrates to Mars or explores distant galaxies in the future, these advancements will not change the salvation that God has given through Christ Jesus. No matter how advanced technology becomes,
the true key is whether we are in Christ and connected to God’s love. This verse reminds us that the vastness of the universe cannot limit God’s love, and ultimately, only spiritual redemption is humanity’s true hope.
♦(R) Christians No Longer Need to Keep the Sabbath in the New Testament Age under Grace?
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Some argue that because of Colossians 2:16-17 and Hebrews 4:4-11, Christians in the New Testament age no longer need to observe the Sabbath. They claim that the Sabbath was merely a shadow, fulfilled in Christ, and that believers now rest spiritually in Him, making the literal observance of the Sabbath unnecessary. However, this interpretation misunderstands the biblical context and contradicts Jesus’ teachings.
1. Shadow vs. Reality: Fulfillment Does Not Mean Abolishment
Colossians 2:16-17 states:
"Let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ."
Refutation: A shadow is not abolished but fulfilled.
• The sacrificial system was a shadow of Christ’s atonement, but that does not mean repentance and obedience are unnecessary.
• The Sabbath is a shadow pointing to the ultimate rest in Christ, but this does not mean that the weekly Sabbath is abolished.
• Fulfillment does not mean cancellation—for example, Jesus fulfilled the law, but He explicitly said He did not come to abolish it (Matthew 5:17-18).
2. Hebrews 4:9 – "A Sabbath Rest Remains for the People of God"
Hebrews 4:9 states:
"There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God."
(σαββατισμός, sabbatismos in Greek, refers specifically to Sabbath observance.)
Refutation: The ultimate rest is future, and believers are still to keep the Sabbath.
• Hebrews 4:10 speaks of those who "enter God’s rest" and "cease from their works," which ultimately refers to eternal rest in the kingdom of God.
• Hebrews 4:11 warns believers to "strive to enter that rest," meaning it has not yet been fully realized.
• If the Sabbath were abolished, Hebrews would not say that a Sabbath rest "remains" for God’s people.
3. Jesus Did Not Abolish the Commandments
Matthew 5:17-18 states:
"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled."
Refutation: Jesus affirmed the commandments, including the Sabbath.
• If the Sabbath commandment were invalid, Jesus would have explicitly abolished it, but He never did.
• Matthew 19:17: "If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments."
• Matthew 24:20: Jesus warned believers to pray that their flight in the end times would not be on the Sabbath, proving its continued significance.
4. The Apostles Continued to Observe the Sabbath
• Acts 13:42-44 – Paul preached in the synagogue on the Sabbath, and even Gentiles asked to hear the word again on the next Sabbath.
• Acts 16:13 – Paul and his companions went to a place of prayer on the Sabbath.
• Acts 17:2 – "Paul, as was his custom, went into the synagogue, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures."
• Acts 18:4 – "And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks."
Refutation: If the Sabbath were abolished, why did the apostles continue to observe it?
• The New Testament does not say that the Sabbath was replaced or abolished.
• The apostles continued keeping the Sabbath even after Jesus’ resurrection.
• If the Sabbath were abolished, why did Paul still teach on that day rather than a so-called "new" Christian worship day?
5. The True Meaning of "Let No One Judge You" (Colossians 2:16)
Context: Paul was addressing Gentile believers who were criticized by Jewish legalists for not adhering to Jewish traditions concerning the Sabbath and feasts.
Refutation: Colossians 2:16 does not mean "do not keep the Sabbath"; it means "do not let others judge how you keep it."
• The issue in Colossians was not whether to keep the Sabbath, but how to keep it.
• Paul was warning against legalistic requirements imposed by Jewish traditions, not against observing the Sabbath itself.
Conclusion: Christians Should Still Observe the Sabbath
1. The Sabbath is a shadow of ultimate rest, but its weekly observance remains (Colossians 2:16-17, Hebrews 4:9).
2. The ultimate Sabbath rest is still future; therefore, believers should still keep the Sabbath now (Hebrews 4:10-11).
3. Jesus never abolished the Sabbath but reinforced obedience to God’s commandments (Matthew 5:17-18; 28:20).
4. The apostles continued to observe and teach on the Sabbath (Acts 13:42-44; 16:13; 17:2; 18:4).
5. Colossians 2:16 warns against legalism, not against keeping the Sabbath.
Final Thought:
"Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:20)
Jesus never said that the Sabbath should be disregarded. Instead, His disciples continued observing it after His resurrection. Therefore, believers today should still uphold God’s commandments, including the Sabbath.
♦(S) Old and New Covenant
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The Difference Between the Old and New Covenant: Fulfillment, Not Abolishment
Some claim that the New Covenant only took effect when Jesus died on the cross, meaning most of His teachings belong to the Old Covenant and only a small portion applies to Christians today. They argue that the Ten Commandments were "fulfilled and abolished" and replaced with a "new spiritual law." However, this view contradicts the Bible’s teachings.
The truth is:
• The New Covenant does not abolish God’s commandments but writes them on believers’ hearts.
• Jesus’ teachings remain fully valid for Christians today.
• The Old and New Covenants differ in administration but not in moral principles.
Let’s examine these points in detail.
1. The New Covenant Took Effect at Jesus’ Death, but His Teachings Are Not Limited to the Old Covenant
It is true that the New Covenant was ratified by Jesus’ blood (Luke 22:20; Hebrews 9:16-17), but this does not mean that His teachings before the cross belong only to the Old Covenant.
Jesus’ Teachings Are for the New Covenant
Matthew 5:17-18 – "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled."
• Jesus did not abolish the Law but fulfilled it. Fulfillment does not mean abolition but completion.
• If Jesus’ teachings were only for the Old Covenant, why did He say they would not pass away?
Matthew 28:20 – "Teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."
• Jesus’ commandments are to be obeyed by His followers under the New Covenant.
• This refutes the idea that only a small portion of His teachings apply today.
Hebrews 13:8 – "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."
• If Jesus’ teachings were only for the Old Covenant, why is He unchanging?
Jesus Raised the Moral Standard, Not Lowered It
Jesus not only reaffirmed the commandments but raised their moral standard:
• Matthew 5:21-22 – Do not just avoid murder; do not even hate.
• Matthew 5:27-28 – Do not just avoid adultery; do not even lust.
• Matthew 5:43-44 – Love not only your neighbor but also your enemy.
If Jesus’ teachings were only for the Old Covenant, then why did He raise the standard for believers?
2. The Old and New Covenant: Differences in Administration, Not in Moral Law
The Old Covenant and the New Covenant have differences in how they are administered but not in their moral principles.
Old Covenant
Given through Moses (Exodus 19-24)
Written on stone tablets (Exodus 31:18)
Based on obedience to the Law
Animal sacrifices for sin (Leviticus 16)
Entered by circumcision (Genesis 17:10)
Israelites were God’s chosen people (Deuteronomy 7:6)
Priests mediate between God and people
New Covenant
Given through Jesus (Luke 22:20)
Written on human hearts (Jeremiah 31:33, Hebrews 8:10)
Based on grace and faith in Jesus
Jesus’ sacrifice is once for all (Hebrews 10:10)
Entered by baptism and the Holy Spirit (John 3:5, Acts 2:38)
All believers in Christ are God’s people (Galatians 3:28-29)
Jesus is the High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16)
What Changed?
• The Sacrificial System: The Old Testament required animal sacrifices for atonement. Jesus became the perfect sacrifice, ending the need for animal offerings.
• The Mode of Obedience: The Old Covenant was external obedience, written on stone. The New Covenant writes the Law on the heart (Hebrews 8:10).
• The Means of Justification: The Old Covenant required works of the Law, but no one could fully keep it (Romans 3:20). The New Covenant justifies by faith in Jesus.
What Did Not Change?
God’s Moral Law (The Ten Commandments):
• The Ten Commandments are not just Mosaic Law; they are God’s universal moral standard.
• Paul reaffirmed their importance:
• 1 Corinthians 7:19 – "Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping God’s commandments is what matters."
• Romans 13:9-10 – Paul lists the commandments as still valid.
• Revelation 12:17, 14:12 – "Here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus."
The Sabbath (The Fourth Commandment) Remains:
• Hebrews 4:9 – "There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God."
• Jesus and the apostles never abolished the Sabbath.
Thus, while the Old Covenant’s sacrificial and ceremonial laws were fulfilled, God’s commandments remain under the New Covenant.
3. The New Covenant Writes God’s Law on Our Hearts
Jeremiah 31:33 prophesied the New Covenant:
"I will put My law in their minds and write it on their hearts."
• The New Covenant does not abolish God’s law but transforms it from external to internal obedience.
• Instead of being written on stone tablets, it is now written in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, not only reaffirmed the commandments but raised their moral standard.
Misconception: "The Commandments Are Too Hard to Keep"
Some argue that God’s commandments are too difficult, but the Bible says otherwise:
• 1 John 5:3 – "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome."
• Matthew 11:30 – "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
God never gives an impossible command. In the Old Covenant, obedience was difficult without the Holy Spirit, but in the New Covenant, believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit to obey.
4. The Book of Revelation Affirms the Ten Commandments in the End Times
Revelation mentions two times that the faithful keep God’s commandments:
• Revelation 12:17 – "Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commandments and hold fast their testimony about Jesus."
• Revelation 14:12 – "Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus."
This proves that God’s commandments are still valid in the New Covenant, even at the end of time.
Conclusion: The New Covenant Does Not Abolish the Commandments
• The New Covenant did not abolish Jesus’ teachings—they apply to believers today.
• The Old Covenant was based on the Law written on stone, but the New Covenant writes it on the heart.
• The sacrificial system ended, but God’s moral law (the Ten Commandments) remains.
• Paul and John affirmed that keeping God’s commandments is still required.
• The Book of Revelation confirms that true believers will still keep God’s commandments.
Final Thought:
Jesus said:
"Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:19)
Thus, the claim that Jesus’ teachings were "mostly Old Covenant" and that "God’s commandments no longer apply" is a false doctrine. True believers love and obey God’s commandments—not to earn salvation, but as a result of faith and love for God.
♦(T) Classification of People (Biblical Perspective)
Table of Contents
Introduction
In the light of God, people can walk toward perfection, but in darkness, they may fall into destruction. The Bible categorizes people spiritually,
from those closest to God to those who stand in total opposition to Him. These classifications are not rigid but are based on a person’s reverence for
God, obedience to His will, and their spiritual state.
These 18 categories illustrate humanity’s relationship with God—some walk with Him, some stray from the truth, and some rebel against Him.
This classification serves not only as a guide but also as a reminder for self-examination and choosing the right path in faith.
Classification of People
(Some categories may overlap, and the order is flexible. “Man” refers to all humanity, including both men and women.)
1. Man of God
• Walks with God and fully obeys His will, like Moses and Elijah.
2. Perfect/Righteous Man
• Considered “blameless” before God, like Noah, Daniel, and Job. Though still human, they wholeheartedly follow God’s will.
3. Saints
4. Children of Light, Children of the Day
5. The Righteous Man
• Justified by God, righteous by faith, and upright in conduct, like Abraham.
6. Good Man
• Generous, just, and merciful, like Cornelius. Though they may not fully know the one true God, they do good and help others.
7. Devout Man
• Reverent, upright in conduct, and willing to do good, but may lack deep knowledge of God’s will.
8. Wise Man
9. Ordinary Man
• Follows social morals, neither particularly good nor evil.
10. Foolish Man
• Lacks the wisdom of fearing God, does not understand His ways, but may not intentionally do evil.
11. Children of the World
12. Bad Man
• Frequently acts unjustly, follows personal desires, disregards morality, and may even exploit religion for personal gain.
13. Children of the Devil, Children of the Night, Children of Darkness
• Jesus said to the Pharisees, “You are of your father the devil” (John 8:44). These people appear devout but are filled with pride, deceit,
and a murderous spirit.
14. Evil Man
• Deliberately sins, practices unrighteousness, does not fear God, and is devoted to wickedness, like Cain and Jezebel.
15. Great Evil Man
• Not only commits evil but also leads many into wickedness, such as Pharaoh and King Ahab.
16. Man of Lawlessness
• Openly opposes God’s law, like the Antichrist, overturning God’s truth and leading the world into destruction.
17. Children of Perdition
• Willfully rebels against God, rejects the truth, and ultimately falls into complete ruin, such as the Antichrist.
18. Antichrist
• Falsely claims to be Christ, opposes Christ, exalts himself as God, and leads people away from the one true God.
There are countless gradations between total brightness and total darkness, just as there are billions of people distributed across these 18 or
more classifications and the spaces between them.
Where do you stand?
Additional Explanation
A person’s classification is not solely determined by outward behavior but by whether they fear God and follow His will.
Some appear devout, preach, and do religious works, yet their hearts are full of greed, lust, vanity, and self-glorification.
Others may seem wicked, but they have a heart ready for repentance and ultimately receive God’s salvation.
The ultimate standard is the Ten Commandments, especially the First Commandment:
“You shall have no other gods before Me.”
This God is the Creator of the Universe, our Heavenly Father, the Savior of mankind, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords.
His name is YESU—meaning “The Lord God Saves” or “I AM WHO I AM (YHWH) Saves.”
He saves His people from sin. Yesu (Jesus) Christ is the Messiah.
God is the Word, and the Word became flesh. Baby YESU is “God with us” (Emmanuel).
As the Son of Man, He prayed to the Heavenly Father, yet the Father was in Him, and He was in the Father.
Yesu is the one true God. Yesu (Jesus) is the holy name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
'And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. ' — John 20:28 (KJV)
The Consequence of Rejecting God
Denying God’s existence is a great sin, just as it is unnatural for children to deny their parents.
Breaking the First Commandment is the greatest evil because it directly denies God’s sovereignty.
The Antichrist not only denies God but also exalts himself as God, leading many astray from the truth.
Breaking the Tenth Commandment (covetousness) also prevents one from becoming perfect, because
“The love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10).
Who Is Truly Perfect?
Ultimately, the truly perfect or righteous are those who are in YESU Christ and obey all of God’s will:
“Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of IESU (YESU).”
— Revelation 14:12 (KJV 1611)
♦(U) Almighty God, Everlasting Father — His Name is YESU